A serious incident was narrowly avoided at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, when an ambulance assigned to provide medical support for jockeys inadvertently drove the wrong way into the path of a field of high-speed Quarter Horses during Saturday night’s eighth race.
The final race of the evening featured eight experienced stakes runners contesting an 870-yard one-turn event. As the field neared the bend, several jockeys were seen urgently trying to pull their mounts up or angle them away from the rail after a slow-moving Acadian Ambulance vehicle unexpectedly entered the inside of the track.
This might well be the most terrifying near miss I’ve ever seen in a horse race. It happened at Evangeline Downs in America a few hours ago. Incredible reactions from the jockeys and horses to avoid absolute carnage. 😳 pic.twitter.com/6e3e5QpmIF
— Kevin Blake (@kevinblake2011) November 23, 2025
In a remarkable stroke of luck, every horse avoided a collision, with jockey E.T. Vera and Kvn Valiant Corona — drawn in the No. 1 position — forced to take the most evasive action to stay clear of the vehicle.
One Fast Cajun and jockey Kody Kellenbergert were first past the post, but because multiple riders were unable to continue riding out the race due to the mid-race hazard, the stewards declared the event a “no contest,” resulting in all bets being refunded.
